News that Strahan would leave on May 13 came from a "Live" spokesperson on Tuesday just hours after Ripa returned to the syndicated talk show. Strahan was originally slated to leave at the end of summer when he will begin full-time duties on "Good Morning America."

With the early exit Strahan is now available to be seen with increasing frequency on ABC's "GMA" over the summer in preparation for his start in September.

Ripa was reportedly upset after learning only a few minutes before the public last Tuesday that Strahan, her co-host since 2012, was leaving for the full-time job with "GMA." He works part-time on the morning news show now and executives there are looking for a way to turn around fading ratings.

"After meeting with the producers of both 'Live' and 'Good Morning America,' and after speaking with Kelly and Michael, we have decided on a plan that best advantages both shows for the future. To that end, Michael's last day on 'Live' will be on Friday, May 13, which not only gives the show the chance to have a nice send-off for him during the May book, but to also immediately begin the on-air search for a new co-host," a show spokesperson told E! News.

Ripa skipped Wednesday and Thursday's "Live" show and said she had a scheduled vacation Friday and Monday.

"I needed a couple of days to gather my thoughts," she said after returning to a standing ovation from the audience. "After 26 years with this company, I've earned that right."

Ripa said the time helped her gain some perspective and that "apologies have been made." She didn't say who apologized and ABC officials haven't publicly admitted to blowing the transition.

"What happened was extraordinary," she said. "It started a much greater conversation about communication and consideration and, most importantly, respect in the workplace. I don't consider this a workplace. This is my second home."

The former soap opera actress has been co-host of "Live" since 2001, first with Regis Philbin and then with Strahan. Besides the lack of communication that Ripa took issue with, the shifting of Strahan to take advantage of his popularity on "Good Morning America" sent an unmistakable message about which show was more important to ABC's bottom line.

Yet the network surely didn't anticipate the drama would play out in the media or how it would raise questions about when — or if — Ripa would return. ABC did not immediately comment Tuesday on Ripa's statements.

She walked hand-in-hand with Strahan onto the stage of her show Tuesday, and Strahan swiftly let his co-host stand alone to talk about the incident.

"I am fairly certain that there are trained professional snipers with tranquilizer darts in case I drift too far off message," said Ripa, who appeared emotionally taken aback by the audience response.